55:1 For the Leader; with string-music. Maschil of David.

55:2 Give ear, O God, to my prayer; and hide not Thyself from my supplication.

55:3 Attend unto me, and hear me; I am distraught in my complaint, and will moan;

55:4 Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked; for they cast mischief upon me, and in anger they persecute me.

55:5 My heart doth writhe within me; and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.

55:6 Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.

55:7 And I said: 'Oh that I had wings like a dove! then would I fly away, and be at rest.

55:8 Lo, then would I wander far off, I would lodge in the wilderness. Selah

55:9 I would haste me to a shelter from the stormy wind and tempest.'

55:10 Destroy, O L-rd, and divide their tongue; for I have seen violence and strife in the city.

55:11 Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof; iniquity also and mischief are in the midst of it.

55:12 Wickedness is in the midst thereof; oppression and guile depart not from her broad place.

55:13 For it was not an enemy that taunted me, then I could have borne it; neither was it mine adversary that did magnify himself against me, then I would have hid myself from him.

55:14 But it was thou, a man mine equal, my companion, and my familiar friend;

55:15 We took sweet counsel together, in the house of God we walked with the throng.

55:16 May He incite death against them, let them go down alive into the nether-world; for evil is in their dwelling, and within them.

55:17 As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me.

55:18 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I complain, and moan; and He hath heard my voice.

55:19 He hath redeemed my soul in peace so that none came nigh me; for they were many that strove with me.

55:20 God shall hear, and humble them, even He that is enthroned of old, Selah, such as have no changes, and fear not God.

55:21 He hath put forth his hands against them that were at peace with him; he hath profaned his covenant.

55:22 Smoother than cream were the speeches of his mouth, but his heart was war; his words were softer than oil, yet were they keen-edged swords.

55:23 Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain thee; He will never suffer the righteous to be moved.

55:24 But Thou, O God, wilt bring them down into the nethermost pit; men of blood and deceit shall not live out half their days; but as for me, I will trust in Thee.